A CAR enthusiast from Ipswich is set to star on the small screen as his business is filmed for a new BBC show.

East Anglian Daily Times: The mini at The East Anglian Mini Centre in Ipswich which is set to star in a BBC documentary later in the year. L-R: Ted Sparrow, Gary Wing, Kim Archer and Nik Sparrow.The mini at The East Anglian Mini Centre in Ipswich which is set to star in a BBC documentary later in the year. L-R: Ted Sparrow, Gary Wing, Kim Archer and Nik Sparrow. (Image: Archant)

Ted Sparrow, who runs the East Anglian Mini Centre in Hadleigh Road, was the focus of the film crew’s attention when the cameras started rolling for the show due to air in the autumn.

In the spotlight was a 1964 Austin Cooper.

The classic motor is owned by Norfolk-based car journalist James Ruppert, who led the film crew to the Ipswich-based company.

Mr Sparrow, who has run the restoration company for 22 years, is passionate about classic Minis, owning 10 himself.

He said: “The cars are our passion and we restore all sorts of Minis here, which come from across the UK.”

As a respected author of books about the car industry, the production team turned to Mr Ruppert for advice.

He added: “When they heard about my own car and the fantastic work being done by Ted and the team, they could not wait to get to Ipswich to film some of the show on location at the Mini Centre.”